City Council approves donation, fireworks for Tonganoxie Days

Tonganoxie Days will be more entertaining this year after two decisions made at Monday’s Tonganoxie City Council meeting.

One of the entertainment upgrades, the addition of music and magic performances, was requested by Tonganoxie Days Committee Chairperson Connie Tornedon and Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce President Donna Hoegler, but a separate decision to provide fireworks for the event was made after the two women departed the meeting.

Tornedon and Hoegler updated the council on planning for the event, which will be Saturday, June 11. Preparations are going well, but organizers could use help to grow the annual June event, they said.

The best way to enhance Tonganoxie Days was through entertainment, Tornedon and Hoegler said. Organizers were looking to book three bands and a magician to perform this year, they said.

“We would like the city to give us a little more money so we can have better entertainment,” Hoegler said. “Usually with bands, they have a following that brings people downtown.”

The council agreed to provide the committee $1,500, but the amount was reduced to $1,375 when City Administrator Mike Yanez agreed to donate $125 to help pay the fee of the rock band The Black Tuxedoes.

Tornedon said 36 vendors had signed up for the $25 booths to date, and the event was on track to get the 90 to 120 vendors it traditionally attracts.

At the end of the meeting, Councilman Jim Truesdell said he had learned of an opportunity to have a full fireworks show at Tonganoxie Days for $2,500. Yanez said the city wouldn’t have to spend that much to have a show because, since the last city fireworks show two years ago, businesses and individuals had donated $900 toward another show.

Truesdell’s request that the council approve the expenditure for the show was approved. Council members said they would welcome more donations from residents and businesses to help with the cost of the show.

Please dig up all the roads so we don't have to pave them. Shut off all lights in town and send the police home early. Don't call the fire depatment for your fire as this costs money.That will save some tax funds. Sit on your junk business and don't invest a dime. Gripe about everything but don't be constructive. When there is a chance to try and do something to have a little fun for $1600 and bring some people to this one horse town, bitch like there was no tomorrow. Keep griping and others will follow AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE THE TOWN YOU WANT! Don't move forward but sit around and stagnate with your "buddies" and their misinformation. Oafish and ingnorant is not the way to go through life but you have made a career of it. Let's close the library so the Tonganoxie Taliban can rule.

If Trouble is right and mymonkey is council member Peak. It is nice to see what he thinks about the citizens that voice their opinion. hmmm calling the people that you represent that has an opinion "Tonganoxie Taliban" putting down some local businesses, even putting down the town that he represent? This is not good!!!!!

That fun is on our dime! If you (mymonkey) or should I say council member Peak would pull your head out of your a## and see that spending tax dollars for YOUR PLEASURE is not what you were put in there for. It was to help put this city back on its feet by pay down debt. Not to spend our money on Bull s###. Spending $4,000 or $5,000 will not even come close to paying back to the city in tax revenue what the city has spent on a Little fun!! Give me a Break! Be a good steward with our tax money and stop having fun on our dime.

Wow! Just got on here. I don't know who anybody is but please leave namecalling out. The actual amount for fireworks is around $700 after donations. I hope more will come to lower that. Tongie days is usually given $500 by chamber. They wanted to add something to try to attract people. I thought it was worthwhile for a one time effort to see how it comes out. I certainly welcome disagreements as that is backbone of effective government. Keep blogging. i can't get on as much as I would like and miss many of these. Thanks.